When you have great legs there are no limits to the clothing you can wear. Instead of hiding behind long pants, you can instead wear shorts, skirts, and bathing suits comfortably and without embarrassment. Unfortunately, spider veins and varicose veins can get in the way of this freedom, marring your legs with unsightly colors and bumps. If you are experiencing this problem, there are options. Read on to learn more about what you can do to get great legs that are worth showing off.
What do Illinois residents need to know about vein disease?
Spider and varicose veins are two forms of vein disease. They are most commonly associated with venous insufficiency, a chronic condition where the veins in the legs are unable to effectively move blood from the extremities back to the heart. When veins work normally, tiny one-way valves and pressure caused by the vein’s walls help move blood upwards. However, age, inactivity, and damage to these valves can cause the system to break down, allowing blood to pool backwards into the vein. This backflow causes pressure to build in veins closer to the surface of the leg, resulting in unsightly bulging vein problems and varicosities.
Aesthetics aren’t the only problem associated with venous insufficiency. If left untreated, the condition can worsen and have a detrimental impact on your overall health. Even varicose veins are associated with uncomfortable symptoms, including pain and swelling. In some cases, the only way to address these symptoms is to treat the underlying cause of the problem.
What can be done to address varicose and spider veins?
If you are ready to reclaim your legs, working with a varicose vein center like the Chicago Vein Care Center will give you access to the resources you need. Working with a leading vein doctor such as Dr. Ramon Castro will help you to diagnose and get rid of varicose veins. One of the first things you may be encouraged to do after consulting with your vein doctor is to make lifestyle changes. Maintaining a regular exercise program, managing your diet and weight, and wearing compression stockings are all forms of conservative treatment that slow the progression of vein issues without medical intervention.
However, in some cases conservative treatment is not enough. You may find that a minimally invasive form of vein treatment is necessary to eliminate your varicosities. Your doctor can advise you on some of the treatments that are best suited for your condition.
A popular choice for patients suffering from spider veins is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy reduces or eliminates the appearance of these veins through the injection of a chemical agent. The agent irritates the walls of the vein, causing them to swell shut, reducing the appearance of the vessel. This treatment is minimally invasive and virtually pain-free, allowing you to reclaim your legs without hassle or discomfort.
Another form of minimally invasive vein disease treatment is Endovenous Laser Treatment by a laser expert. EVLT treatment uses heat from a laser to seal off larger varicose veins. A tiny laser- bearing catheter is inserted into the diseased vein, applying heat to the vein’s walls. This seals the walls together and allows blood to flow through healthier vessels, quickly and effectively reducing the appearance of varicosities.
Conservative treatment, sclerotherapy, and EVLT are just a few of the options available to help you get the legs you deserve. Get in touch with our Chicago, IL office to learn more about what we can do to help you get great legs. Vein disease affects more than just the way you look, but quick action can help reduce complications and ensure you have legs that you are proud of.